The feature, “The New Golden Age of Barbecue,” says “the most American of food is having a renaissance.”

Kansas City has been blessed with more than 80 barbecue restaurants at last count and new ones opening at a regular rate. But other cities haven’t been so lucky — until recently.

Parade turned to the nation’s top restaurant critics to name their favorite new barbecue restaurant and it quotes the Kansas City Star’s own Jill Wendholt Silva saying this about Jon Russell’s:

“The owners, veterans of the competition barbecue circuit, hit a high mark with their pork ribs: They are tender, yet do not fall off the bone. Lightly sauced, they have a smoky rather than sweet flavor.”

Jon Russell is named after Jon Niederbremer and Russell Muehlberger. Muehlberger is head chef at the restaurant at 12094 W. 135th St., in the Prairie Center, and has been entering barbecue contests for nearly a quarter of a century. Niederbremer is general manager.

“On July 27th, 2012 we unlocked the doors and invited our friends in and started playing,” said Muehlberger just before lunch Friday. “We’re catering a grand opening event today and we’ve also been doing a lot pool parties this summer. It’s been really fun.”

To reach Joyce Smith, call 816-234-4692 or send email to jsmith@kcstar.com. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter at JoyceKC.